Retirement Party

Agent Miles , also known as 27 , sat at the little desk in his hotel room , looking into the mirror at the face he had known all his life , for one last time , His sky blue eyes , he had often received compliments on those , especially from the ladies , his slightly crooked nose , It had been broken three times ... no four .

He ran his fingers over the scars over his eye brows , and then one that ran along the left side of his chin .

This day had been just over thirty years in the making and there was no point in putting it off any longer .

He rose from the seat at the desk and walked to the door and into the hall .

He opened the door and stepped out into the hall

Agent 44 was there waiting , a true old friend , they had been on a dozen or more missions together over the years , also agent 12 they had saved each others asses more times than he could count , and agent 36 as well , She knew him better than anyone , was that a tear in the corner of her eye , now there was one in his . When was the last time that happened ?. He knew , it was two years ago when agent 24 was retired , Karen had been the only woman he had ever truly loved , and he never told her .

The foursome exchanged handshakes and exuberant hugs , then took a moment to collect themselves , and began the walk down the hall toward the banquet room . they all knew what to expect .

They turned the corner to the entrance hall and it was lined with agents .

Some he knew , some he knew well , others he barely recognized , But they all fell in behind him as he made his way to the stage where a table had been prepared just for him .

As he stepped out onto the stage there was a burst of applause , he hadn't expected that , and it overwhelmed him for a moment , but his training and experience kicked in and he quickly recovered , he was a senior agent after all .

He took his seat of honor next to the podium and the the speeches began .

The first to speak was his handler .

He spoke of the dedication to the cause , and the perfect record ...

Miles had heard this all before , as well as the next speaker and the next , all of the retirement parties followed a routine of praise and speeches of accomplishment .

And then the administer stepped to the podium .

Miles's stomach clenched .

" And here he is , the man of the hour , Agent 27 "

Miles took his cue and went to the podium .

he pulled a few pages of paper from his pocket looked at them for a moment and then set them aside .

He had rehearsed this moment a dozen times , and every time it had been different .

" Friends tonight is my last night with you , with the agency , and upon this earth . "

( So winging it it is ) .

" I have dedicated my life to service to my country , and I feel that I have done so with honor and integrity "

" my final request of you all is that you do the same "

" Thank you "

( short and sweet )

there was a short silence thereafter ,

but then ... clapping , lots of clapping , and whistles , and here here's and such .

Miles retook his seat

and the administrator resumed the podium .

And now the moment we have all gathered to witness ,

The last meal . Agent 27 has chosen is death by chocolate .

A subtle rumble of nervous laughter spread throughout the room , as servers laid out a place set and the delicacy of cake and frosting and syrup .

Agent 27 knew this moment . he dug in with gusto .

He was only a few bites in when he started to feel the effect .

He had always loved chocolate .

A few more bites and the world closed in around him .

Two attendants caught him as he keeled over , and laid him gently onto a stretcher which had been placed close behind him .

They carried his body up the center aisle and out through the double doors , and then to a waiting hearse .

the retirement party went on for hours .

Agents recounted story after story of " 27's " skills , all of the kills he had made in the name of the cause .

It was two days later when Agent 27 awoke .

he had no idea where he was , the face that stared back at him from the mirror was that of a stranger .

he walked out of the bedroom and was met by a woman he had never seen before

" It's me she said , 24 "

In that moment he knew her all over again , they walked together out of the bungalow and gazed over the tropical island which was now their home .

It had been a hard life , and a good death , and now a second life had begun .